2018 Volkswagen Passat 1.6L Diesel · AF18 CTK

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a concerning pattern of neglected consumables and alignment issues. While the most recent test in November 2025 at 103,818 miles passed, the tester flagged both front tyres as worn on the inner edge. This indicates a persistent alignment problem or suspension geometry fault that remains unaddressed despite previous advisories. The history suggests a reactive approach where the owner only performs the minimum work required to pass the annual test rather than conducting preventative maintenance. At 103,818 miles, this eight-year-old Passat has averaged approximately 13,000 miles per year. The mileage accumulation is consistent, evidenced by the 12,246 miles driven between December 2024 and November 2025, and another 12,699 miles between November 2023 and December 2024. This high annual usage suggests significant motorway-style running, which typically places higher strain on the drivetrain, suspension bushings, and braking components compared to low-mileage city cars. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension components to identify the cause of the recurring tyre wear. The tester noted inner-edge wear in 2025 and similar edge wear in 2022, which points toward worn control arms, ball joints, or faulty struts. Furthermore, the history of thin brake pads recorded in both 2022 and 2024 suggests the braking system is being run to the point of failure. The failure in 2023 at 78,873 miles due to exposed cords on four tyres highlights that the owner previously ignored critical safety defects until they became an MOT failure.